The Nextlander Podcast 229: Game of the Year 2025, Part 1
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Dec 25, 2025 The hosts dive into their top 10 games of 2025, reflecting on the gaming landscape's highs and lows. They discuss notable titles like Avowed for its immersive world, Split Fiction's cooperative gameplay, and the unfinished yet intriguing Death Stranding 2. Teamwork shines in Peak, while Alex surprises with the quirky Megabonk. The chilling atmosphere of Silent Hill F and Fortnite's revival also make the cut. Expect a lively debate as they unveil their favorites and the challenges of crafting their lists!
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Year Felt Great But Less Sticky
- Alex felt 2025 had many good games but fewer that truly stuck with him emotionally.
- He suspects personal factors and cherishing a smaller set of favorites changed his engagement with games this year.
Console Launchs Produce Fewer Robust Titles
- Brad and Vinny note console launches no longer produce many robust launch titles.
- They attribute this to increased game complexity and longer development cycles reducing launch-window output.
Avowed Surprised With Curated RPG Design
- Brad loved Avowed's curated world and writing, calling it better than expected.
- He praised first-person melee combat, unique loot design, and thought it deserved wider platform support.